Libertas Americana bronze medal by Augustin Dupré, c. 1783
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1783
This Libertas Americana bronze medal, conceived by Benjamin Franklin and engraved by Augustin Dupré, is a significant historical object struck in Paris in 1783 to commemorate American Independence and the assistance provided by France.
The medal measures 47mm in diameter and weighs 49.24g, featuring an attractive chocolate-brown patina. The obverse depicts the bust of Liberty facing left with flowing hair, accompanied by a liberty cap on a staff, and is inscribed 'LIBERTAS AMERICANA' with the date '4 JUIL. 1776' below. The reverse features an allegorical scene of Minerva, representing France, shielding the infant Hercules, representing the United States, who strangles the serpents of Burgoyne and Cornwallis while repelling the attack of the British lion.
The reverse bears the inscription 'NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS' along with the dates '17 OCT. 1777' and '1781'. The composition, refined by Esprit-Antoine Gibelin, is noted for its delicate relief and classical execution, serving as both a political statement and a work of art marking the 250th anniversary of the revolution.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Patina
- chocolate-brown
- Weight
- 49.24g
- Diameter
- 47mm
- Material
- bronze
Technical characteristics
- Designer
- Benjamin Franklin
- Engraver
- Augustin Dupré
- Composition refiner
- Esprit-Antoine Gibelin
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Liberty left with flowing hair and liberty cap on staff, inscribed 'LIBERTAS AMERICANA', '4 JUIL. 1776'
- Reverse
- Minerva shielding infant Hercules who strangles serpents, British lion attacking, inscribed 'NON SINE DIIS ANIMOSUS INFANS', dates '17 OCT. 1777' and '1781'
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Augustin Dupré
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.